The Sub-Regional Office for West Africa of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), in partnership with the Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, today virtually launched the work of a meeting of Think Tanks and experts from West Africa on the theme: "The Generational Economy and Structural Transformation in the Age of COVID-19 in West Africa".

 The choice of this theme is a way for the ECA Subregional Office for West Africa to highlight the particularly acute demographic challenges in West Africa and to highlight the close link between demographic dynamics and the Sustainable Development Goals that countries have continue, with the risk that the Covid-19 pandemic will divert efforts from population policies.

Given the many challenges associated with demographic dynamics in West Africa, compounded by the adverse effects of the Covid-19 crisis, achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and Agenda 2063 for Africa's future aspirations will require a better understanding of the demographic transformations in the region and policies that are essential to achieving the demographic dividend, such as access to affordable and quality health services and social protection, quality education and employment opportunities for young people. 

This virtual meeting therefore aims to explore the link between demographic dynamics and sustainable development and to identify ways to align demographic changes in West Africa with the Sustainable Development Goals. The focus will be on the Covid-19 pandemic and its likely negative impact on demographic dynamics and drivers of the demographic dividend.